The perpetrators accused of the KwaNobuhle double murder of high school learners, Sinothando Malinga (19) and Ibanathi Peter (17), as previously reported by UD Express, appeared briefly at the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court today, June 23.
The perpetrators arrived in the dock, trying to hide their faces from a courtroom filled with KwaNobuhle community members. While standing in the dock, the perpetrators showed little emotion towards the crimes they had been accused of.
SAPS confirmed that the perpetrators are: Akhululwe Pungulwa (28), Anele Ngalo (27), Siphosethu Gomomo (21) and Zubenathi Dyakumeni (26). Two of the four accused have no prior convictions or pending cases; however, Pungulwa was previously convicted of housebreaking and sentenced to five years in 2012. He was also arrested for assault and gender-based violence but was released on warning in 2023. Gomomo had no prior convictions but is currently out on bail for a pending case.
All four accused chose to be represented by Legal Aid and all waived their right to apply for bail. The community members present at court murmured, “the accused were scared to come out because they fear for their safety,” as they waived their bail.
The Uitenhage District Taxi Association (UDTA) public relations officer, Lubabalo Vesele, welcomed the waiving of bail applications, while expressing that he wished the court proceedings took place in KwaNobuhle to accommodate the community members who wanted to be present. He also believes that it was the best outcome because, “If they release them into our hands, that would cause another problem for the community. We as the community want to set a precedent that something like this never happens again.”
The community members also said that the accused will rue the day they committed this act.
Present at the court proceedings, aunt of the deceased, Nandipha Peter, a family member, said, “I was so furious today because when I look at the perpetrators, they are not in Ibanathi’s age group. They are cowards because they murdered an innocent girl, much younger than them.”
Thamsanqa Nkevu, a KwaNobuhle community leader, also welcomed the waiving of bail applications as he also believed that should the perpetrators be set free, it would cause havoc in the community. “Going forward, I will do anything I can to make sure the culprits do not receive bail,” he said. “My concern should they be released is that I fear for the community. Releasing them back to the public will further contribute to our community being violent, which we do not want. We want a safe environment for our children to play freely,” he concluded.
SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said, “The other four suspects aged between 16 and 18, who were taken in for questioning, had since been released.”
The case was remanded until July 30, and the perpetrators will remain in custody.
